Treatment plan specific bite adjustment structures

ABSTRACT

A series of appliances including a first shell and a second shell can be designed to incrementally implement a treatment plan. The first and second shells can have cavities designed to receive teeth of a jaw. A first number of bite adjustment structures can be formed of a same material as the first shell, extending therefrom and designed to interface with teeth of a second jaw. The first number of bite adjustment structures can have a first shape and location specific to a first stage of the treatment plan. A second number of bite adjustment structures can be formed of a same material as the second shell, extending therefrom and designed to interface with teeth of the second jaw. The second number of bite adjustment structures can have a second shape and location, different than the first shape and location, specific to a second stage of the treatment plan.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/299,011, filed Mar. 11, 2019, which is a divisional of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/186,799, filed Feb. 21, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.10,299,894, issued May 28, 2019, which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety and to which applications we claim priorityunder 35 USC § 120.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is related generally to the field of dentaltreatment. More particularly, the present disclosure is related tosystems, methods, computing device readable media, and devices fortreatment plan specific bite adjustment structures.

Dental treatments may involve, for instance, restorative and/ororthodontic procedures. Restorative procedures may be designed toimplant a dental prosthesis (e.g., a crown, bridge inlay, onlay, veneer,etc.) intraorally in a patient. Orthodontic procedures may includerepositioning misaligned teeth and changing bite configurations forimproved cosmetic appearance and/or dental function. Orthodonticrepositioning can be accomplished, for example, by applying controlledforces to one or more teeth over a period of time.

As an example, orthodontic repositioning may be provided through adental process that uses positioning appliances for realigning teeth.Such appliances may utilize a thin shell of material having resilientproperties, referred to as an “aligner,” that generally conforms to auser's teeth but is slightly out of alignment with a current toothconfiguration.

Placement of such an appliance over the teeth may provide controlledforces in specific locations to gradually move the teeth into a newconfiguration. Repetition of this process with successive appliances inprogressive configurations can move the teeth through a series ofintermediate arrangements to a final desired arrangement.

Such systems typically utilize materials that are light weight and/ortransparent to provide as a set of appliances that can be used seriallysuch that as the teeth move, a new appliance can be implemented tofurther move the teeth.

In various instances, a patient may have a malocclusion, where thepatient's teeth do not line up properly. One example of a malocclusionis a deep bite, which is an acute case of an overbite where thepatient's lower teeth are overlapped by the upper teeth and the lowerincisors come into contact with the gingival tissue in the upper arch ofthe jaw. A deep bite can be an aesthetic problem and/or a problem withhealth consequences such as damage to the roots of the upper teeth,damage to the gingival tissue in the upper arch of the jaw, and/orwearing of the bottom teeth from frictional contact with the upperteeth, among others.

Some previous approaches to correcting a deep bite condition in apatient may include intrusion of the anterior (e.g., incisors and/orcanines) teeth and/or extrusion of the posterior teeth (e.g., premolarsand/or molars). Extrusion of the posterior teeth may be facilitated bythe use of bite turbos (e.g., metal blocks adhered to a back (lingual)surface of the upper anterior teeth to reduce contact between posteriorteeth in opposing jaws and allow for more eruption), anterior biteplates contacting the anterior dentition while allowing posterioreruption (e.g., in non-adult patients), twin blocks (e.g., blocks withan inclined occlusal plane are placed one on an upper dentition and oneon a lower dentition to reduce contact between posterior teeth), amongothers. However, extrusion of posterior teeth in adult patients may leadto unstable results. Intrusion of the anterior teeth may be facilitatedby anchor bend (e.g., metal anchors on the molars that are used to applyan upward force to the incisors), J-hook headgear, expansion screws,bypass archwires that bypass premolars and/or canines to maintainreduced forces by lengthening the span between molars and incisors,among others. Another previous approach to correcting a deep bitecondition in a patient may be orthognathic surgical correction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a dental position adjustmentappliance including a number of bite adjustment structures being appliedto a set of teeth according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a digital model of a jawincluding a number of bite adjustment structures positioned on incisorsaccording to a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a digital modelof a jaw corresponding to a first stage of treatment including a numberof digital bite adjustment structures positioned thereon according to anumber of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a digital modelof a jaw corresponding to a second stage of treatment including a numberof digital bite adjustment structures positioned thereon according to anumber of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3C illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a digital modelof a jaw corresponding to a third stage of treatment including a numberof digital bite adjustment structures positioned thereon according to anumber of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3D illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a digital modelof a jaw corresponding to a fourth stage of treatment including a numberof digital bite adjustment structures positioned thereon according to anumber of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a digital model of a jawincluding a number of digital bite adjustment structures positioned ondigital canines according to a number of embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a digital model of a jawincluding a number of digital bite adjustment structures positioned ondigital posterior teeth according to a number of embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a dental positionadjustment appliance including a number of bite adjustment structurespositioned thereon according to a number of embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7A illustrates a cross-section taken along cut line 7A-7A of aportion of the appliance illustrated in FIG. 6 according to a number ofembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7B illustrates a cross-section taken along cut line 7B-7B of aportion of the appliance illustrated in FIG. 6 according to a number ofembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7C illustrates a cross-section analogous to the cross-sectionillustrated in FIG. 7B of a portion of a first appliance and a secondappliance according to a number of embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7D illustrates a cross-section analogous to the cross-sectionillustrated in FIG. 7B of a portion of a first appliance and a secondappliance according to a number of embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an interface between a number of bite adjustmentstructures on a dental position adjustment appliance and a number ofteeth on an opposing jaw according to a number of embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 9A illustrates jaws in a first vertical relationship according to anumber of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9B illustrates jaws in a second vertical relationship according toa number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a correction for overbite and overjet according to anumber of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a system for treatment plan specific bite adjustmentstructures according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In contrast to some previous approaches, a number of embodiments of thepresent disclosure feature a dental positioning appliance (e.g.,aligner) including a number of bite adjustment structures positionedthereon in a treatment specific fashion. For example, the biteadjustment structures can be placed according to a stage of treatmentassociated with the appliance. One, several, or all of a series ofappliances can include bite adjustment structures that are positioned(e.g., with a shape and location) that is specific to a respective stageof a treatment plan associated with each appliance. In some embodiments,the bite adjustment structures can be formed of a same material as theappliance and/or formed at a same time as the appliance.

In the following detailed description of the present disclosure,reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof,and in which is shown by way of illustration how a number of embodimentsof the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described insufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art topractice the embodiments of this disclosure, and it is to be understoodthat other embodiments may be utilized and that process and/orstructural changes may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. As used herein, “a number of” a particular thing canrefer to one or more of such things (e.g., a number of bite adjustmentstructures can refer to one or more bite adjustment structures).

The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the firstdigit or digits correspond to the drawing figure number and theremaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing.Similar elements or components between different figures may beidentified by the use of similar digits. For example, 106 may referenceelement “06” in FIG. 1, and a similar element may be referenced as 606in FIG. 6. As will be appreciated, elements shown in the variousembodiments herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated so as toprovide a number of additional embodiments of the present disclosure. Inaddition, as will be appreciated, the proportion and the relative scaleof the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustratecertain embodiments of the present invention, and should not be taken ina limiting sense.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a dental position adjustmentappliance 102 including a number of bite adjustment structures 106 beingapplied to a set of teeth 104 according to one or more embodiments ofthe present disclosure. Appliances according to the present disclosurecan include, in some embodiments, a plurality of incremental dentalposition adjustment appliances. The appliances, such as appliance 102illustrated in FIG. 1, can be utilized to incrementally implement atreatment plan such as by affecting incremental repositioning ofindividual teeth in the jaw, among other suitable uses. Appliances, suchas appliance 102, can be fabricated according to a virtual dental modelthat has had positions of a number of teeth adjusted according to one ormore embodiments of the present disclosure.

Appliances can include any positioners, retainers, and/or otherremovable appliances for finishing and maintaining teeth positioning inconnection with a dental treatment. These appliances may be utilized bythe treatment professional in performing a treatment plan. For example,a treatment plan can include the use of a set of appliances, createdaccording to models described herein.

An appliance (e.g., appliance 102 in FIG. 1) can, for example, befabricated from a polymeric shell, and/or formed from other material,having a plurality of cavities therein (e.g., cavity 107-1, cavity107-2, generally referred to herein as cavities 107). The cavities 107can be designed (e.g., shaped) to receive one or more teeth 104 and/orapply force to reposition one or more teeth 104 of a jaw from one teetharrangement to a successive teeth arrangement. The shell may be designedto fit over a number of, or in many instances all, teeth 104 present inthe upper and/or lower jaw.

The appliance 102 can include a number of bite adjustment structures 106formed of a same material as the shell. In some embodiments, the biteadjustment structures 106 can be formed of the same material as theshell as a continuous body. The bite adjustment structures 106 can beformed at a same time as the shell (e.g., from a same bulk material),such as during a vacuum forming process, where the material is vacuumformed over a model of teeth that is formed based on data representing auser's teeth.

The shell can include cavities 107 (e.g., where each cavity 107corresponds to a tooth). The bite adjustment structures 106 can be apart of a cavity 107. A cavity, such as cavity 107-3, that does notinclude a bite adjustment structure 106 can be shaped to mate with aparticular tooth. For example, cavity 107-3 can be shaped to mate withthree surfaces of a corresponding tooth to be received therein. Thethree surfaces can be a front (facial) surface 128, a back (lingual)surface 126, and a biting (incisal) surface 124. The cavity 107-3 may beslightly out of alignment with a current configuration of the particulartooth (e.g., to facilitate aligning the particular tooth to a desiredconfiguration), but the cavity 107-3 can generally conform to the shapeof the particular tooth such that there is not much space between thecavity 107-3 and the particular tooth when the appliance 102 is worn.

In contrast, a cavity, such as cavity 107-1, that includes a biteadjustment structure 106 can be shaped to mate with two surfaces of aparticular tooth. For an incisor or canine, the two surfaces can be afront (facial) surface 128 and a biting (incisal) surface 124. The backsurface (lingual) surface 126 of the cavity 107-1 can include the biteadjustment structure 106 extending therefrom. The bite adjustmentstructure 106 can form a part of the cavity 107-1 such that when wornover a particular tooth, space exists between the tooth and the biteadjustment structure 106. FIGS. 7B and 7C illustrate this space in moredetail.

The bite adjustment structures 106 can extend from the appliance 102toward the back of the mouth (in a facial-lingual direction) and bedesigned to interface with teeth of the jaw opposing the jaw over whichthe appliance 102 is intended to be worn. For example, the appliance 102can be designed to fit over teeth in a user's upper jaw and the biteadjustment structures 106 can be designed to interface with teeth of theuser's lower jaw. The shape (e.g., size and/or contours, angle(s), etc.)and location (e.g., position on the cavity) of each of the biteadjustment structures 106 can be specific to a stage of a treatment planfor which the appliance 102 was designed. For example, successiveappliances created according to a treatment plan may have differentlyshaped and/or located bite adjustment structures 106. A particular biteadjustment structure 106 can have a shape and location specific to aparticular stage of the treatment plan based on at least one of aninterface with a particular tooth of an opposing jaw, an intended use,and an orientation of a tooth over which the bite adjustment structure106 is positioned. Bite adjustment structures 106 that have shapes andlocations specific to particular stages of treatment can be advantageousover some previous approaches that use generic and/or uniformattachments that are not specific to treatment stages and therefore maynot accurately provide the desired correction for the treatment stageduring which they are used. Such inaccurate treatment can lead tolengthening treatment plans, a need for a revised treatment plan, and/orunnecessary user discomfort, among other drawbacks. In contrast a numberof embodiments of the present disclosure allow for more timely,accurate, and/or comfortable execution of treatment plans.

In some embodiments, an edge 101 of a cavity 107 opposite the biting(incisal) surface 124 of the cavity 107 can be shaped to extend beyond agingival line 108 of the user. Extending portions of the shell over thegingival line 108 of the jaw can help to distribute a counterforce(e.g., counter to a number of forces applied to the bite adjustmentstructures 106) to other portions of the jaw.

Although not specifically illustrated, in some embodiments, for aparticular stage in a treatment plan, both an upper appliance (anappliance designed to fit over teeth of a user's upper jaw) and lowerappliance (an appliance designed to fit over teeth of a user's lowerjaw) can include a number of bite adjustment structures. A particularstage in a treatment plan can include bite adjustment structures on onlyone of an upper appliance and a lower appliance. A particular stage in atreatment plan may not include any bite adjustment structures on eitheran upper appliance or a lower appliance. A particular stage in atreatment plan can include bite adjustment structures on cavitiescorresponding to incisors, canines, premolars, and/or molars, and/or anycombination thereof.

Bite adjustment structures on the upper appliance can be designed tointerface with teeth of the lower jaw and the bite adjustment structureson the lower appliance can be designed to interface with teeth of theupper jaw. As used herein, a bite adjustment structure being “designedto interface with teeth of an opposing jaw” can mean that the biteadjustment structure is designed to interface with teeth of an opposingjaw that are or are not covered by another appliance. In someembodiments, a bite adjustment structure on a cavity of a firstappliance can be designed to interface with a corresponding providingstructure on a cavity of a second appliance over an opposing jaw (e.g.,as illustrated and described with respect to FIG. 7D).

An upper appliance can include a number of bite adjustment structures106 on a back (e.g., lingual) side of cavities 107 designed to receiveupper anterior teeth. The number of bite adjustment structures 106 caninterface with lower anterior teeth and receive an inherent forcetherefrom when a user bites (e.g., so as to provide a disocclusionbetween posterior teeth of the user). In some embodiments, the appliance102 can be designed to selectively distribute a counterforce (counter toan inherent force generated by the user's biting) to the posterior upperdentition.

The bite adjustment structures 106 can be designed to provide adisocclusion between opposing jaws. Providing a disocclusion betweenopposing jaws can allow for adjustment (e.g., correction) a verticalrelationship between the upper and lower jaws. That is, the biteadjustment structures 106 can be designed and intended for adjustment ofthe vertical relationship between upper and lower jaws and/or a verticalrelationship between respective teeth in the upper and lower jaws. Insome embodiments, the appliance 102 can be designed to reposition anumber of teeth 104 over which the appliance 102 is worn while the biteadjustment structures 106 provide a disocclusion between opposing jaws.Providing a disocclusion between opposing jaws can help preventappliances on opposing jaws from interacting (e.g., touching, allowinginteraction of forces, etc.) with each other (e.g., except at the biteadjustment structures 106). Providing a disocclusion between opposingjaws can adjust an occlusal plane (e.g., a global occlusal plane) of theuser. Such an adjustment can be temporary (e.g., while the appliance 102is worn) and/or more permanent (e.g., by allowing for extrusion of teethsuch as molars). For example, the bite adjustment structures 106 can bedesigned to provide a disocclusion between opposing posterior teeth whenthe user bites (e.g., in some instances, a number of anterior teeth ofthe user may contact a bite adjustment structure 106 on an applianceworn over an opposing jaw, which can prevent the user's posterior teethfrom occluding). As used herein, “disocclusion” includes the provisionof space between corresponding teeth of opposing jaws so that the teethdo not bind with and/or contact each other.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a digital model 214 of a jawincluding a number of bite adjustment structures 210 positioned onincisors according to a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.A number of embodiments of the present disclosure include instructionsthat are executable by a processor (e.g., software), which can be fixedin a non-transitory computing device readable medium, to model a user'sjaws (e.g., including teeth, roots, gingiva, and/or supportingstructure, etc.). The instructions can be executed to create and/ormodify a treatment plan to incrementally adjust the user's teeth and/orbite, among other adjustments, via application of a series of appliancesas described herein. The instructions can be executed to providemodified models of the user's jaws for each of the various stages of thetreatment plan for fabrication (e.g., via rapid prototyping such asstereolithography) of physical models corresponding to the digitalmodels 214. The physical models can be used for the fabrication (e.g.,via thermoforming) of appliances thereover.

According to a number of embodiments of the present disclosure, theinstructions can be executed to position a number of digital biteadjustment structures 210 on a corresponding number of digital teeth 212of a digital model 214 of a jaw. The instructions can be executed toposition the digital bite adjustment structures 210 on the digital teethof the digital model 214 of the jaw at a particular stage of treatmentand/or adjust a position of the digital bite adjustment structures 210for subsequent stages of treatment. The digital model 214 of the jaw canbe different at each stage of treatment according to the treatment plan(e.g., positioning of the digital teeth can change). The instructionscan be executed to adjust the position of the digital bite adjustmentstructures 210 according to changes to the digital model 214 of the jawbetween treatment stages and/or according to anticipated changes insubsequent stages of treatment (e.g., to help effectuate a desiredchange to the digital model 214 of the jaw).

For each stage of treatment, the instructions can be executed to modelforces applied to the digital model 214 of the jaw by an appliancecorresponding to that stage (to simulate actual forces to be applied toa user's physical jaw by a physical appliance). Those forces can includeforces applied to the digital model 214 of the jaw by virtue of theappliance being slightly out of alignment with a current configurationof the digital teeth and/or include inherent forces applied to thealigner by the user (e.g., when the user bites on the bite adjustmentstructures). The instructions can be executed to adjust the shape of thedigital model 214 of the jaw such that a corresponding appliance formedthereover distributes a counterforce (counter to the inherent forceapplied by the user to the bite adjustment structures) to a number ofposterior teeth of the physical jaw of the user.

Any of the number of digital models illustrated and/or described herein(e.g., FIGS. 2, 3A-3D, 4, 5, etc.) can represent a stage of a treatmentplan, can be used to model forces applied to the digital models, can beused to create a physical model for formation of a physical appliancethereover, can be used for direct fabrication of a physical appliance(without creating a physical model), among other uses.

Positioning and/or adjustment of positioning of digital bite adjustmentstructures 210 on a digital model 214 of a jaw can be automatic (e.g.,by operation of software based on force modeling for a particular stageof treatment), manual (e.g., by operation of an operator interactingwith the digital model via an interface with a computing device), or acombination thereof Likewise, the shape (e.g., size, orientation (e.g.,various angles with respect to references)) and/or attachment location(on the digital teeth) of the digital bite adjustment structures 210 canbe automatically set by the software, by manual operation (e.g., anoperator can specify the necessary criteria of the digital biteadjustment structures 210 and/or modify default criteria provided by thesoftware), or a combination thereof

As described herein, the bite adjustment structures can be used toprovide a disocclusion and/or adjust canine guidance, among other uses.The instructions to position the digital bite adjustment structures 210can incorporate a result of instructions to model forces used toreposition digital teeth 212. For example, the instructions can beexecuted to model a first number of forces used to reposition acorresponding number of digital teeth 212 a first distance according toa first stage (“first” indicating an arbitrary stage, not necessarily anoriginal stage) of a treatment plan and the instructions can be executedto incorporate a result of modeling the first number of forces in orderto position the digital bite adjustment structures 212. The instructionsexecuted to adjust a position of the digital bite adjustment structures212 can incorporate a result of instructions executed to calculate asecond number of forces used to reposition the number of digital teeth212 a second distance according to a second stage of the treatment plan(e.g., a stage subsequent to the first stage, not necessarily sequentialthereto).

According to a number of embodiments of the present disclosure, physicalbite adjustment structures do not need to be attached to a user'sphysical teeth in order to fabricate appliances that include biteadjustment structures therein. With digital modeling, an impression ofthe user's teeth (without physical attachments) can be made and thedigital bite adjustment structures 210 can be added by software. Suchembodiments can be beneficial in reducing chair time for users in aprofessional's office and/or reduce the use of materials associated withphysical attachments, which can reduce costs. Such embodiments can bebeneficial in reducing user discomfort that may be associated withphysical attachments, even if the physical attachments are temporary.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a digital model314 of a jaw corresponding to a first stage of treatment including anumber of digital bite adjustment structures 310 positioned thereonaccording to a number of embodiments of the present disclosure. Thedigital model 314 includes a number of digital teeth 312-1, 312-2,312-3, 312-4 (e.g., incisors) that each include a corresponding digitalbite adjustment structure 310-1, 310-2, 310-3, 310-4.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a digital model314 of a jaw corresponding to a second stage of treatment including anumber of digital bite adjustment structures 310 positioned thereonaccording to a number of embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3Cillustrates a perspective view of a portion of a digital model 314 of ajaw corresponding to a third stage of treatment including a number ofdigital bite adjustment structures 310 positioned thereon according to anumber of embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3D illustrates aperspective view of a portion of a digital model 314 of a jawcorresponding to a fourth stage of treatment including a number ofdigital bite adjustment structures 310 positioned thereon according to anumber of embodiments of the present disclosure.

“First stage” does not necessarily mean the original stage of atreatment plan, but is a relative term with respect to other stages. Forexample, the “first stage” may be a second stage of a 50 stage treatmentplan, while the “second stage” illustrated in FIG. 3B may be a tenthstage of the 50 stage treatment plan, while the “third stage”illustrated in FIG. 3C may be a 30th stage of the 50 stage treatmentplan, and the “fourth stage” illustrated in FIG. 3D may be a 40th stageof the 50 stage treatment plan.

Embodiments can include more or fewer bite adjustment structures 310than are illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3D. For example, some treatment plansmay include four bite adjustment structures 310 for a first stage andtwo bite adjustment structures for a second stage. Each of the biteadjustment structures 310 can have a shape and location specific to therespective stage of the treatment plan.

FIG. 3A includes a first digital tooth 312-1 with a first digital biteadjustment structure 310-1 that is smaller than a second digital biteadjustment structure 310-2 on a second digital tooth 312-2. The firstdigital bite adjustment structure 310-1 is smaller than the seconddigital bite adjustment structure 310-2 in both a direction betweenadjacent teeth in the same jaw (mesial-distal direction) 311 and in adirection between the front of the mouth and the back of the mouth(facial-lingual direction) 313. In some embodiments, different biteadjustment structures can have different sizes in a direction betweenthe root and the tip of a tooth (gingival-incisal/coronal direction)315. The first digital bite adjustment structure 310-1 is smaller than athird digital bite adjustment structure 310-3 on a third digital tooth312-3 and smaller than a fourth digital bite adjustment structure 310-4on a fourth digital tooth 312-4. The third digital bite adjustmentstructure 310-3 is approximately the same size as the second digitalbite adjustment structure 310-2. The fourth digital bite adjustmentstructure is smaller than the second digital bite adjustment structure310-2 and the third digital bite adjustment structure 310-3, but largerthan the first digital bite adjustment structure 310-1. Bite adjustmentstructures can have different angles as illustrated and described inmore detail with respect to FIGS. 7A-7B.

A bite adjustment structure can be designed with a different (e.g.,smaller) size, for example, as corresponding teeth of opposing jaws getcloser together during treatment. A bite adjustment structure can bedesigned with a different (e.g., larger) size, for example, ascorresponding teeth of opposing jaws get farther apart during treatment.A bite adjustment structure can have a smaller or larger size in adirection between adjacent teeth in the same jaw (mesial-distaldirection) 311 dependent upon proximity to one or more adjacent teeth(e.g., a bite adjustment structure can be designed to be smaller/largerto account for crowding/spacing so that the bite adjustment structuredoes not interfere with neighboring teeth).

A bite adjustment structure can be designed to be in a differentlocation on a tooth for different stages of treatment. As illustratedbetween FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C, an edge 323-1 of the digital biteadjustment structure 310-1 that is closest to the biting (incisal)surface 324-1 moved closer to the biting (incisal) surface 324-1 of thedigital tooth 312-1. Furthermore, the digital bite adjustment structure310-1 increased in size in both a direction between adjacent teeth inthe same jaw (mesial-distal direction) 311 and a direction between theroot and the tip of a tooth (gingival-incisal/coronal direction) 315between the second stage and the third stage. Bite adjustment structurescan be designed to change location on a tooth between treatment stagesbased on, for example, changes in intrusion or extrusion of the tooth(or a corresponding tooth on an opposing jaw) and/or movement of thetooth (or a corresponding tooth on an opposing jaw) (e.g., movement in adirection between adjacent teeth in the same jaw (mesial-distaldirection) 311). For example, if a tooth is intruded during treatment, abite adjustment structure for that tooth may be moved toward a biting(incisal) surface of the tooth in a subsequent stage of treatment toallow a corresponding tooth on the opposing jaw to continue to makecontact with the bite adjustment structure. As used herein, “intrusion”includes forcing a tooth back into a jaw and/or preventing eruption ofthe tooth from the jaw.

Across FIGS. 3A-3D, the edges 323-1, 323-2, 323-3, 323-4 of the digitalbite adjustment structures 310-1, 310-2, 310-3, 310-4 closest to thebiting (incisal) surfaces 324-1, 324-2, 324-3, 324-4 of the teethgenerally change location toward the biting (incisal) surfaces 324-1,324-2, 324-3, 324-4 of the digital teeth 312-1, 312-2, 312-3, 312-4.Such a change in location can be designed for the digital biteadjustment structures 310-1, 310-2, 310-3, 310-4, for example, as partof a treatment plan where the digital teeth 312-1, 312-2, 312-3, 312-4are being intruded into the jaw (as the teeth move up into the jaw, anocclusal plane defined by contact with the corresponding teeth on theopposing jaw would generally move in the direction between the root andthe tip of a tooth (gingival-incisal/coronal direction) 315 toward thebiting (incisal) surfaces 324-1, 324-2, 324-3, 324-4 of the digitalteeth 312-1, 312-2, 312-3, 312-4).

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a digital model 414 of a jawincluding a number of digital bite adjustment structures 410-1, 410-2positioned on digital canines 412-1, 412-2 according to a number ofembodiments of the present disclosure. Appliances (e.g., formed based ondigital model 414) that include bite adjustment structures on caninescan be used to provide a disocclusion between various opposing teeth ina user's jaws while the appliance is worn (e.g., to allow for eruptionof teeth or other treatment goals).

The digital bite adjustment structures 410 can extend from the digitalcanines 412 in a direction from the outside of the mouth toward aninside of the mouth (facial-lingual) direction 413. Because the digitalbite adjustment structures 410 are extending from digital canines 412,the digital bite adjustment structures 410 are likely (depending onspecific patient tooth geometry and alignment) to extend in a directionoblique to the occlusal plane. Although the angle of each digital biteadjustment structure can be specific to the particular digital toothfrom which it extends, and patient tooth geometries and alignments willdiffer, digital bite adjustment structures extending from digitalincisors (e.g., FIG. 2) may be more closer to being parallel to theocclusal plane, digital bite adjustment structures extending fromdigital molars and/or premolars (e.g., FIG. 5) may be closer to beingperpendicular to the occlusal plane, and digital bite adjustmentstructures extending from digital canines (e.g., FIG. 4) may be closerto being oblique to the occlusal plane.

According to a number of embodiments of the present disclosure, thedigital bite adjustment structures 410 can be positioned on acorresponding number of digital teeth 412 of a digital model 414 of ajaw at a particular stage of treatment. The position of the digital biteadjustment structures 410 can be adjusted for subsequent stages oftreatment (e.g., to help effectuate a desired change to the digitalmodel 414 of the jaw). For example, bite adjustment structures oncavities of an appliance over a canine can be used to adjust canineguidance. Canine guidance is a feature of the canines that helps toprevent contact of posterior teeth of opposing jaws when the lower jawslides sideways (e.g., interaction (“guidance”) of the upper and lowercanines provides a disocclusion between the posterior teeth of opposingjaws when the lower jaw slides sideways with respect to the upper jaw inorder to protect the posterior teeth). An appliance formed with biteadjustment structures on a canine cavity can adjust canine guidance byaltering the interface between the canine cavity and a correspondingtooth on an opposing jaw so that when the jaws move sideways withrespect to one another the interface between the bite adjustmentstructure and the opposing tooth protects the posterior teeth byproviding a disocclusion (e.g., where, without the bite adjustmentstructure the posterior teeth may contact and/or grind against eachother as the jaws move sideways with respect to one another).

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a digital model 514 of a jawincluding a number of digital bite adjustment structures 510-1, 510-2positioned on digital posterior teeth 512-1, 512-2 according to a numberof embodiments of the present disclosure. The digital bite adjustmentstructures 510 are illustrated being positioned on digital molars 512.Although not specifically illustrated, digital bite adjustmentstructures can be positioned on digital premolars in an analogousfashion to the digital bite adjustment structures 510 positioned on themolars 512 illustrated in FIG. 5.

The digital bite adjustment structures 510 can be positioned on acorresponding number of digital teeth 512 (e.g., posterior teeth) of adigital model 514 of a jaw at a particular stage of treatment. Theposition of the digital bite adjustment structures 510 can be adjustedfor subsequent stages of treatment (e.g., to help effectuate a desiredchange to the digital model 514 of the jaw). For example, biteadjustment structures on cavities of an appliance over a molar and/orpremolar can be used to provide a disocclusion between the posteriorand/or anterior teeth of opposing jaws when the user bites. The digitalbite adjustment structures 510 can extend from a respective cavity in adirection between the root and the tip of a tooth(gingival-incisal/coronal direction) 515. In some embodiments, thedigital bite adjustment structures 510 can extend in the directionbetween the root and the tip of a tooth (gingival-incisal/coronaldirection) 515 a distance sufficient to pass through an occlusal planeto help corresponding physical bite adjustment structures formed in anappliance based on the digital model 514 to provide a disocclusion. Thedisocclusion can be provided by interaction of the bite adjustmentstructure with teeth of the opposing jaw (e.g., the bite adjustmentstructure can contact a number of teeth of the opposing jaw and preventthe other teeth of the opposing jaws from contacting one another).Although not specifically illustrated, a corresponding surface of anopposite digital jaw can be contoured to receive the digital biteadjustment structure 510. An appliance formed thereover can inherit thecontours so that the bite adjustment structure 510 fits nicely againstthe opposing appliance and avoids unwanted shifting forces.

Although not specifically illustrated, some embodiments can include adigital bite adjustment structure on a number of posterior teeth on onlyone side of the jaw (e.g., either left or right) for a particular stageof treatment. Including a bite adjustment structure extending from aposterior tooth on one side of the jaw can allow a number of teeth to beextruded from or erupt from an opposite side of the jaw. In someembodiments, a first stage of treatment can include a number of biteadjustment structures extending from posterior teeth on the left side ofa jaw and a second stage subsequent to the first stage can include anumber of bite adjustment structures extending from posterior teeth onthe right side of the jaw (or vice versa). Varying the side of the jawfrom which a digital bite adjustment structure extends (from a posteriortooth) can allow a number of teeth to be extruded from or erupt fromboth sides of the jaw alternately.

In some embodiments, a first stage of treatment can include a biteadjustment structure extending from a first posterior tooth on one side(e.g., left or right) of a jaw and a second stage subsequent to thefirst stage can include a bite adjustment structure extending from asecond (different) posterior tooth on the same side of the jaw. Varyingthe tooth on the same side of the jaw from which a bite adjustmentstructure extends (from a posterior tooth) can allow a number of teethto be extruded from or erupt from the same side of the jaw alternately.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a dental positionadjustment appliance including a number of bite adjustment structures606 positioned thereon according to a number of embodiments of thepresent disclosure. For example, cavity 607 includes bite adjustmentstructure 606. Bite adjustment structure 606 includes a first surface620 and a second surface 622. The cavity 607 that includes biteadjustment structure 606 is illustrated with cut line 7A-7A and cut line7B-7B. FIG. 7A corresponds to cut line 7A-7A. FIGS. 7B, 7C, and 7D aredifferent embodiments corresponding to cut line 7B-7B.

FIG. 7A illustrates a cross-section taken along cut line 7A-7A of aportion (e.g., cavity 707-1) of the appliance illustrated in FIG. 6according to a number of embodiments of the present disclosure. Theappliance includes a cavity 707-1 including a bite adjustment structure706-1. The cavity 707-1 can be shaped to mate with two surfaces of atooth therein when worn by a user. Note that the left and right edges ofthe cavity 707-1 are shown for illustrative purposes, and may notphysically be part of the appliance (e.g., the appliance may have anopen channel between adjacent cavities contained therein so as not tointerfere with an interproximal region between adjacent teeth of auser). As described herein, bite adjustment structures can include ashape and location specific to a particular stage of a treatment plan.The bite adjustment structure 706-1 is illustrated on a back (lingual)surface 726-1 of the cavity 707-1. The cavity 707-1 (e.g., the biteadjustment structure 706-1 on the cavity 707-1) can have a first surface720-1 extending away from a tooth within the cavity 707-1 in afront-to-back (facial-lingual) direction (out of the page) proximal to abiting (incisal) surface 724-1 of the cavity 707-1. The cavity 707-1(e.g., the bite adjustment structure 706-1) can have a second surface722-1 that connects with the first surface 720-1 a distance from thetooth within the cavity 707-1. The first surface 720-1 and the secondsurface 722-1 are both on a same side of the cavity 707-1 (e.g., thefirst surface 720-1 and the second surface 722-1 are both on the outsideof the cavity 707-1 as opposed to the inside of the cavity 707-1 where atooth is received). An angle 716 between the first surface 720-1 of thecavity 707-1 and an occlusal plane 718-1 of the user is illustrated.

According to a number of embodiments of the present disclosure,different cavities (not specifically illustrated in FIG. 7A) can havedifferent angles 716 between the first surface 720-1 and the occlusalplane 718-1. Having different angles 716 between different biteadjustment structures 706-1 and the occlusal plane 718-1 can allow formore accurate modeling of forces applied to the bite adjustmentstructures 706-1 by opposing teeth of the user. Having different angles716 between different bite adjustment structures 706-1 and the occlusalplane 718-1 can allow for more force to be applied to each of the biteadjustment structures 706-1 by opposing teeth of the user, for example,in a situation where a user has differently misaligned teeth in eitheran upper or lower jaw (e.g., where biting (incisal) surfaces 724-1 ofdifferent teeth approach the occlusal plane 718-1 with differentangles). Modifying the angles 716 of individual bite adjustmentstructures 706-1 can allow first surfaces 720-1 (e.g., biting (incisal)surfaces) of individual bite adjustment structures 706-1 (e.g., eachbite adjustment structure 706-1) to be substantially parallel to biting(incisal) surfaces of opposing teeth.

FIG. 7B illustrates a cross-section taken along cut line 7B-7B of aportion (e.g., cavity 707-2) of the appliance illustrated in FIG. 6according to a number of embodiments of the present disclosure. Withrespect to FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B can illustrate the cavity 707-1 of FIG. 7Aas it would appear after rotating 90 degrees about a vertical axis 721.The appliance includes a cavity 707-2 including a bite adjustmentstructure 706-2 according to a number of embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The cavity 707-2 can be shaped to mate with two surfaces ofa tooth therein when worn by a user. For example, the front (facial)surface 728 of the cavity 707-2 can be shaped to mate with a front(facial) surface of a tooth therein and a biting (incisal) surface 724-2of the cavity 707-2 can be shaped to mate with a biting (incisal)surface of a tooth therein. The back (lingual) surface 726-2 of thecavity 707-2 can be partially shaped to mate with a back (lingual)surface of a tooth therein.

The back (lingual) surface 726-2 of the cavity 707-2 is shaped to“partially mate” with a back (lingual) surface of a tooth therein,because there is a space between the tooth and the first surface 720-2and second surface 722-2 of the bite adjustment structure 706-2 (e.g.,as illustrated by the dotted line 725-2, which would otherwise representa portion of the back (lingual) surface of the cavity 707-2). In someembodiments, the space between the tooth and the first surface 720-2 andthe second surface 722-2 can be empty (e.g., hollow). In suchembodiments, there is an open channel between the bite adjustmentstructure 706-2 and a remainder of the cavity 707-2. In someembodiments, the space between the tooth and the first surface 720-2 andthe second surface 722-2 can be solid (e.g., filled with a same materialas the appliance or a different material). In such embodiments, thedotted line 725-2 would appear as a solid line because it wouldrepresent a physical edge of the material filling the space between thetooth and the first surface 720-2 and the second surface 722-2.

The bite adjustment structure 706-2 is illustrated on a back (lingual)surface 726-2 of the cavity 707-2. The cavity 707-2 (e.g., the biteadjustment structure 706-2 on the cavity 707-2) can have a first surface720-2 extending away from a tooth within the cavity 707-2 in afront-to-back (facial-lingual) direction proximal to a biting (incisal)surface 724-2 of the cavity 707-2. The cavity 707-2 (e.g., the biteadjustment structure 706-2) can have a second surface 722-2. The secondsurface 722-2 can extend away from a location where the back of a toothto be received in the cavity 707-2 would be (e.g., as illustrated bydotted line 752-2). The second surface 722-2 can extend in a generallybiting (incisal) direction (at least relative to the front-to-back(facial-lingual) direction in which the first surface 720-2 extends).The second surface 722-2 can depart from a point 727 where the cavity707-2 is otherwise shaped to mate with a tooth received therein. Thepoint 727 can be proximal to an edge 729 of the cavity 707-2 oppositethe biting (incisal) surface 724-2 of the cavity 707-2. The firstsurface 720-2 connects with the second surface 722-2 a distance from thetooth within the cavity 707-2.

An angle 717 between the first surface 720-2 of the cavity 707-2 and anocclusal plane 718-2 of the user is illustrated. Contrasted with theangle 716 illustrated in FIG. 7A between the first surface 720-1 and theocclusal plane 718-1, which can be considered a “roll angle”, the angle717 illustrated in FIG. 7B between the first surface 720-2 and theocclusal plane 718-2 can be considered a “pitch angle.” According to anumber of embodiments of the present disclosure, different cavities (notspecifically illustrated in FIG. 7B) can have different angles 717between the first surface 720-2 and the occlusal plane 718-2. Havingdifferent angles 717 between different bite adjustment structures 706-2and the occlusal plane 718-2 can allow for more accurate modeling offorces applied to the bite adjustment structures 706-2 by opposing teethof the user. Having different angles 717 between different biteadjustment structures 706-2 and the occlusal plane 718-2 can allow formore accurate control of a direction in which force is to be applied toeach of the bite adjustment structures 706-2 by opposing teeth of theuser, for example, in a situation where a treatment plan for a usercalls for repositioning a tooth within the cavity 707-3 in a directionother than directly toward the root and/or jaw (e.g., to correct for atooth with improper tipping such as inclination or reclination).

FIG. 7C illustrates a cross-section analogous to the cross-sectionillustrated in FIG. 7B of a portion of a first appliance and a secondappliance according to a number of embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The portion (e.g., cavity 707-31) of the first applianceincludes a bite adjustment structure 706-3. The back (lingual) surface726-3 of the cavity 707-31 can be shaped to mate partially with a back(lingual) surface of a tooth therein, because there is a space betweenthe tooth and the first surface 720-3 and second surface 722-3 of thebite adjustment structure 706-3 (e.g., as illustrated by the dotted line725-3, which would otherwise represent a portion of the back (lingual)surface of the cavity 707-31).

In some embodiments, the first surface 720-3 of the bite adjustmentstructure 706-3 can include a notch 730-3 therein positioned to receivea biting (incisal) surface of a cavity 707-32 opposite the biteadjustment structure 706-3 in an opposing jaw when the jaws of a userwearing the appliance are closed. Such a notch 730-3 can be useful inhelping to control a location where an opposing cavity 707-32 contactsand/or applies force to the bite adjustment structure 706-3 so that theforce applied to the bite adjustment structure is more accuratelymodeled in the treatment plan. Without such a notch, the opposing cavity707-32 may slide along the first surface 720-3 of the bite adjustmentstructure 706-3 and apply forces to different portions of the firstsurface 720-3 of the bite adjustment structure 706-3, which can lead todifferent force vectors (e.g., different magnitudes and/or directions).More accurate modeling of the force applied to the bite adjustmentstructure 706-3 can lead to more favorable results from the treatmentplan for the user (e.g., the actual results can more accurately reflectthe modeled results in the treatment plan).

FIG. 7D illustrates a cross-section analogous to the cross-sectionillustrated in FIG. 7B of a portion of a first appliance and a secondappliance according to a number of embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The portion (e.g., cavity 707-41) of the first applianceincludes a bite adjustment structure 706-4. The back (lingual) surface726-4 of the cavity 707-41 can be shaped to mate partially with a back(lingual) surface of a tooth therein, because there is a space betweenthe tooth and the first surface 720-4 and second surface 722-4 of thebite adjustment structure 706-4 (e.g., as illustrated by the dotted line725-4, which would otherwise represent a portion of the back (lingual)surface of the cavity 707-4).

In some embodiments, the first surface 720-4 of the bite adjustmentstructure 706-4 can include a receiving structure 732-4 thereinpositioned to receive a providing structure 731-4 of a cavity 707-42opposite the bite adjustment structure 706-4 in an opposing jaw when thejaws of a user wearing the appliances are closed. Such a receivingstructure 732-4 can be useful in helping to control a location where theopposing cavity 707-42 contacts and/or applies force to the biteadjustment structure 706-4 so that the force applied to the biteadjustment structure is more accurately modeled in the treatment plan.Without such a receiving structure, the opposing cavity 707-42 may slidealong the first surface 720-4 of the bite adjustment structure 706-4 andapply forces to different portions of the first surface 720-4 of thebite adjustment structure 706-4, which can lead to different forcevectors (e.g., different magnitudes and/or directions). More accuratemodeling of the force applied to the bite adjustment structure 706-4 canlead to more favorable results from the treatment plan for the user(e.g., the actual results can more accurately reflect the modeledresults in the treatment plan).

FIG. 8 illustrates an interface between a number of bite adjustmentstructures 806-1, 806-2 on a dental position adjustment appliance 802and a number of teeth 804-1, 804-2 on an opposing jaw according to anumber of embodiments of the present disclosure. The number of teeth804-1, 804-2 of the second jaw may or may not be covered by anappliance. The number of bite adjustment structures 806-1, 806-2 canhave a shape and location specific to a particular stage of a treatmentplan that the appliance 802 was designed to implement. Although only twocavities of the appliance 802 are illustrated, other cavities may beincluded with the appliance 802 and other cavities (some or all) caninclude bite adjustment structures thereon. A particular bite adjustmentstructure (e.g., bite adjustment structure 806-1, or more than one biteadjustment structure) can have a shape and location specific to aparticular stage of the treatment plan based on at least one of aninterface with a particular tooth (e.g., tooth 804-1) of the opposingjaw, an intended use, and an orientation of a tooth over which thecavity including the bite adjustment structure (e.g., bite adjustmentstructure 806-1) is positioned.

The interface between the bite adjustment structure 806-1 and the tooth804-1 can be defined by a relative geometry of the first surface 820 ofthe bite adjustment structure 806-1 and the biting (incisal) surface 824of the tooth 804-1 and/or a biting (incisal) surface of a cavity of anappliance thereover. The first surface 820-1 of the first cavity can beparallel to a local occlusal plane 832-1 of a tooth 804-1 opposite thefirst surface 820-1 of the first cavity and the first surface 820-2 ofthe second cavity can be parallel to a local occlusal plane 832-2 of atooth 804-2 opposite the first surface 820-2 of the second cavity. Alocal occlusal plane can be an occlusal plane between a particular uppertooth and a particular lower tooth that is based only on the occlusionof the particular upper tooth and particular lower tooth (e.g., asopposed to a global occlusal plane, which is based on the occlusion ofteeth in the upper and lower jaws as a whole).The first surface 820-1 ofthe bite adjustment structure 806-1 and/or the first surface 820-2 ofthe bite adjustment structure 806-2 can be designed to provide adisocclusion between opposing posterior teeth when the user bites.

Although not specifically illustrated, the teeth 804-1, 804-2 can becovered by an appliance that can include bite adjustment structures tointerface with biting (incisal) surfaces of the cavities of theappliance 802. Various stages of a treatment plan can include or notinclude an appliance to cover the teeth 804-1, 804-2 of the opposing jawand different stages of the treatment plan can include or not include anumber of bite adjustment structures on the appliance for the opposingjaw. For example, a particular stage of a treatment plan can include anappliance over each of the upper jaw and lower jaw of a user, where eachappliance includes a number of bite adjustment structures, and where thebite adjustment structures are designed to provide a disocclusionbetween opposing posterior teeth in order to level the teeth of theupper and lower jaws.

The positioning of the digital bite adjustment structures on the digitalmodel can correspond to the actual position of the physical biteadjustment structures on the appliances that are fabricated according tothe digital model. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the biteadjustment structures 806-1, 806-2 (e.g., by operation of the userclosing his jaws) may apply inherent forces 834-1, 834-2 to the teeth804-1, 804-2 of the opposing jaw. As is also illustrated, theorientation of different teeth 804-1, 804-2 with respect to theorientation of different bite adjustment structures 806-1, 806-2 can bedifferent based on the geometry of the interfaces between the biteadjustment structures 806-1, 806-2 and the opposing teeth 804-1, 804-2according to a particular stage the treatment plan. Thus, the biteadjustment structures 806-1, 806-2 can be specific to individual teeth804-1, 804-2 as well as specific to the particular stage of thetreatment plan. The bite adjustment structures 806-1, 806-2 may directan inherent force (e.g., inherent from the user biting) perpendicular tothe local occlusal plane 832-1, 832-2 where the bite adjustmentstructures 806-1, 806-2 interact with opposing teeth 804-1, 804-2, anopposing appliance, and/or bite adjustment structures on an opposingappliance. In general there may not be lateral forces applied to thebite adjustment structures 806-1, 806-2 unless bite adjustmentstructures on an opposing appliance have been configured to apply such aforce to the bite adjustment structures 806-1, 806-2.

FIG. 9A illustrates jaws 936-1, 936-2 in a first vertical relationship938-1 according to a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG. 9B illustrates jaws 936-1, 936-2 in a second vertical relationship938-2 according to a number of embodiments of the present disclosure. Insome embodiments, an appliance (e.g., including a number of biteadjustment structures) worn over the upper jaw 936-1 can be designed toadjust a vertical relationship 938-1, 938-2 between the upper jaw 936-1and the lower jaw 936-2. As illustrated in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B thisadjustment of the vertical relationship 938-1, 938-2 can help correctfor a deep bite to improve an appearance of the user's teeth and toreduce problems associated with a deep bite condition, as describedherein. Embodiments are not limited to adjusting the position of thelower jaw 936-2 with respect to the upper jaw 936-1, as the position ofeither or both of the upper jaw 936-1 and lower jaw 936-2 can beadjusted. Furthermore, the adjustment can be performed by an applianceworn over the upper jaw 936-1 and/or an appliance worn over the lowerjaw 936-2 (e.g., by interaction of a number of bite tabs on a number ofappliances with a number of teeth on an opposing jaw).

FIG. 10 illustrates a correction for overbite 1040 and overjet 1042according to a number of embodiments of the present disclosure. Overbite1040 can refer to a lower jaw being too far behind the upper jaw or amisalignment of the teeth. Specifically, overbite 1040 can refer to theextent of vertical (superior-inferior) overlap of the maxillary centralincisors 1004-1 over the mandibular central incisors 1004-2, measuredrelative to the incisal ridges. Overjet 1042 can be the distance betweenthe maxillary anterior teeth 1004-1 and the mandibular anterior teeth1004-2 in the anterior-posterior axis. As illustrated in FIG. 10, themaxillary tooth 1004-1 can be adjusted from a first position 1004-1A toa second position 1004-1B and/or the mandibular tooth 1004-2 can beadjusted from a first position 1004-2A to a second position 1004-2B.

A number of appliances in a series of appliances created as part of atreatment plan can perform different functions. Some of the functionsperformed by different appliances in the series may overlap and some maybe unique to a particular appliance. By way of example, a firstappliance can include a first number of bite adjustment structuresdesigned to provide a disocclusion for a number of teeth of a first jawand/or a second jaw to help correct for at least one of overjet 1042 andoverbite 1040. A second appliance can include a second number of biteadjustment structures designed to provide a disocclusion for the numberof teeth of the first jaw and/or the second jaw to correct for at leastone of overjet 1042 and overbite 1040. In this example, the firstappliance can correct for either or both of overjet 1042 and overbite1040 and the second appliance can correct for either or both of overjet1042 and overbite 1040. Correction for overbite and/or overjet caninclude adjustments to the position of various teeth and or relativepositioning of the jaws by the appliances (e.g., including adjustmentsaffected by the number of bite adjustment structures, as describedherein). Such adjustments can include intrusion, rotation, inclination,and/or disocclusion, among others.

FIG. 11 illustrates a system for treatment plan specific bite adjustmentstructures according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In the system illustrated in FIG. 11, the system includes acomputing device 1144 having a number of components coupled thereto. Thecomputing device 1144 includes a processor 1146 and memory 1148. Thememory can include various types of information including data 1150 andexecutable instructions 1152 as discussed herein.

Memory and/or the processor may be located on the computing device 1144or off the device in some embodiments. As such, as illustrated in theembodiment of FIG. 11, a system can include a network interface 1154.Such an interface can allow for processing on another networkedcomputing device or such devices can be used to obtain information aboutthe patient or executable instructions for use with various embodimentsprovided herein.

As illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 11, a system can include one ormore input and/or output interfaces 1156. Such interfaces can be used toconnect the computing device with one or more input or output devices.

For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, the systemincludes connectivity to a scanning device 1158, a camera dock 1160, aninput device 1162 (e.g., a keyboard, mouse, etc.), a display device 1164(e.g., a monitor), and a printer 1166. The processor 1146 can beconfigured to provide a visual indication of a digital model 1174 on thedisplay 1164 (e.g., on a GUI running on the processor 1146 and visibleon the display 1164). The input/output interface 1156 can receive data,storable in the data storage device (e.g., memory 1148), representingthe digital model 1174 (e.g., corresponding to the patient's upper jawand the patient's lower jaw).

In some embodiments, the scanning device 1158 can be configured to scana physical mold of a patient's upper jaw and a physical mold of apatient's lower jaw. In one or more embodiments, the scanning device1158 can be configured to scan the patient's upper and/or lower jawsdirectly (e.g., intraorally).

The camera dock 1160 can receive an input from an imaging device (e.g.,a 2D imaging device) such as a digital camera or a printed photographscanner. The input from the imaging device can be stored in the datastorage device 1148.

Such connectivity can allow for the input and/or output of digital model1174 information or instructions (e.g., input via keyboard) among othertypes of information. Although some embodiments may be distributed amongvarious computing devices within one or more networks, such systems asillustrated in FIG. 11 can be beneficial in allowing for the capture,calculation, and/or analysis of information discussed herein.

The processor 1146, in association with the data storage device 1148,can be associated with data and/or application modules 1168. Theprocessor 1146, in association with the data storage device 1148, canstore and/or utilize data and/or execute instructions to provide anumber of application modules for treatment plan specific biteadjustment structures.

Such data can include the digital model 1174 described herein (e.g.,including a first jaw, a second jaw, a number of appliances, etc.). Suchapplication modules can include an adjustment module 1170, a forcecalculation module 1172, a position bite adjustment structures module1176, and/or a treatment plan module 1178.

The position bite adjustment structures module 1176 can be configured toposition a number of bite adjustment structures on a correspondingnumber of digital teeth (e.g., anterior teeth) of the digital model 1174of a jaw at a first stage of a treatment plan. The position module 1176can be configured to incorporate a result of forces modeled by the forcecalculation module 1172 (e.g., forces used to reposition thecorresponding number of digital teeth a first distance according to afirst stage of the treatment plan).

The adjustment module 1170 can be configured to adjust the position ofthe number of bite adjustment structures on the corresponding number ofdigital teeth of the digital model 1174 of the jaw at a second stage ofthe treatment plan according to changes to the digital model 1174 of thejaw between the first stage and the second stage of the treatment plan.The adjustment module 1170 can be configured to adjust the position ofthe number of digital bite adjustment structures by changing a shape(e.g., size, a number of angles, etc.) and/or an attachment location ofthe number of digital bite adjustment structures on the correspondingnumber of digital teeth of the digital model of the jaw. The adjustmentmodule 1170 can be configured to adjust a shape of the digital model1174 of the jaw at the first stage of the treatment plan such that thecorresponding one of the appliances formed thereover distributes acounterforce corresponding to the force modeled by the force calculationmodule 1172 to a number of posterior teeth of the user's jaw. Theadjustment module 1170 can be configured to incorporate a result offorces modeled by the force calculation module 1172 (e.g., forces usedto reposition the corresponding number of digital teeth a seconddistance according to a second stage of the treatment plan).

The force calculation module 1172 can be configured to model an inherentforce applied to the number of bite adjustment structures by a userwearing a corresponding one of the appliances during the first stage ofthe treatment plan. The treatment plan module 1178 can be configured tocreate, edit, delete, revise, or otherwise modify the treatment plan(e.g., based at least in part on operation of other application modules1168).

The digital model 1174 can be provided (e.g., via network interface1154) for fabrication of physical models corresponding to the jaw at thefirst and the second stages of the treatment plan for formation ofappliances thereover such that the appliances inherit a shape of thenumber of digital bite adjustment structures.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same techniques can be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments of thedisclosure.

It is to be understood that the use of the terms “a”, “an”, “one ormore”, “a number of”, or “at least one” are all to be interpreted asmeaning one or more of an item is present. Additionally, it is to beunderstood that the above description has been made in an illustrativefashion, and not a restrictive one. Combination of the aboveembodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described hereinwill be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the abovedescription.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on,”“connected to” or “coupled with” another element, it can be directly on,connected, or coupled with the other element or intervening elements maybe present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being“directly on,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled with”another element, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements and that these elementsshould not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used todistinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first elementcould be termed a second element without departing from the teachings ofthe present disclosure.

The scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure includes anyother applications in which the above structures and methods are used.Therefore, the scope of various embodiments of the disclosure should bedetermined with reference to the appended claims, along with the fullrange of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are groupedtogether in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining thedisclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the embodiments of the disclosure requiremore features than are expressly recited in each claim.

Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter liesin less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, thefollowing claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

What is claimed:
 1. A method, comprising: positioning a plurality ofdigital bite adjustment structures on a corresponding plurality ofdigital teeth of a digital model of a first jaw at a first stage of atreatment plan; designing the bite adjustment structures to have a firstshape and location specific to the first stage of a treatment plandesigned to interface with teeth of a second jaw; adjusting the biteadjustment structures by changing the position of the plurality ofdigital bite adjustment structures on the corresponding plurality ofdigital teeth of the digital model of the first jaw at a second stage ofthe treatment plan; and outputting the digital model of the first jawfor fabrication of physical models corresponding to the first jaw at thefirst and the second stages of the treatment plan for formation ofappliances.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusting furthercomprises: changing a shape of the plurality of digital bite adjustmentstructures on the corresponding plurality of digital teeth of thedigital model of the first jaw.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein theadjusting further comprises: changing a location of the plurality ofdigital bite adjustment structures on the corresponding plurality ofdigital teeth of the digital model of the first jaw.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the adjusting further comprises: changing anorientation of the plurality of digital bite adjustment structures onthe corresponding plurality of digital teeth of the digital model of thefirst jaw.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusting furthercomprises: changing a size of the plurality of digital bite adjustmentstructures on the corresponding plurality of digital teeth of thedigital model of the first jaw.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thecorresponding plurality of digital teeth of the digital model areanterior digital teeth of the digital model.
 7. The method of claim 6,further comprising: modeling a force to be applied to the plurality ofbite adjustment structures by a user wearing a corresponding one of theappliances during the first stage of the treatment plan; and adjusting ashape of the digital model of the first jaw at the first stage of thetreatment plan such that the corresponding one of the appliancesdistributes a counterforce corresponding to the force to a number ofposterior teeth of the user's first jaw with the corresponding one ofthe appliances is worn by the user.
 8. The method of claim 1, whereinthe adjusting is made according to changes to the digital model of thefirst jaw between the first stage of the treatment plan and the secondstage of the treatment plan.
 9. The method of claim 3, wherein thechanging the location includes changing a vertical relationship betweenstages to correct for a deep bite.
 10. The method of claim 4, whereinchanging the vertical relationship between stages includes progressivelymoving the location towards an incisal edge of a respective toothreceiving cavity.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the biteadjustment structures is to provide a disocclusion between the posteriorand/or anterior teeth.
 12. The method of claim 3, wherein changing thelocation is based on changes in intrusion or extrusion of the tooth or acorresponding tooth on an opposing jaw and/or movement of the tooth or acorresponding tooth on an opposing jaw.
 13. A method, comprising:receiving a digital model of the patient's teeth comprising a first jawand a second jaw and including a deep bite malocclusion of the patient'steeth and in response to the receiving the digital model: positioning aplurality of digital bite adjustment structures on a correspondingplurality of digital teeth of a digital model of a first jaw at a firststage of a treatment plan; designing the bite adjustment structures tohave a first shape and location specific to the first stage of atreatment plan designed to interface with teeth of a second jaw;adjusting the bite adjustment structures by changing the verticalposition of the plurality of digital bite adjustment structures on thecorresponding plurality of digital teeth of the digital model of thefirst jaw at a second stage of the treatment plan to aid in correctingthe deep bite malocclusion; and outputting the digital model of thefirst jaw for fabrication of physical models corresponding to the firstjaw at the first and the second stages of the treatment plan forformation of appliances.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein changingthe vertical position includes moving bite adjustment structures towardsan incisal edge of a respective tooth receiving cavity.
 15. The methodof claim 13, wherein the adjusting is made according to changes to thedigital model of the appliance for a first jaw between the first stageof the treatment plan and the second stage of the treatment plan. 16.The method of claim 13, wherein adjusting the bite adjustment structuresis to provide a disocclusion between the posterior and/or anteriorteeth.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein changing the verticalposition is based on changes in intrusion or extrusion of the tooth or acorresponding tooth on an opposing jaw and/or movement of the tooth or acorresponding tooth on an opposing jaw.
 18. The method of claim 13,wherein the adjusting further comprises: changing an orientation of theplurality of digital bite adjustment structures on the correspondingplurality of digital tooth receiving cavities of the digital model ofthe appliance of the first jaw.
 19. A method, comprising: positioning aplurality of digital bite adjustment structures at locations on acorresponding plurality of digital tooth receiving cavities of a digitalmodel of an appliance for a first jaw at a first stage of a treatmentplan; designing the bite adjustment structures to have a first shape andlocation specific to the first stage of a treatment plan designed tointerface with teeth of a second jaw; adjusting the bite adjustmentstructures by changing the position of the plurality of digital biteadjustment structures on the corresponding plurality of digital toothreceiving cavities of the digital model of the appliance of the firstjaw at a second stage of the treatment plan; and outputting the digitalmodel of the appliance of the first jaw for fabrication of physicalmodels corresponding to the appliance of the first jaw at the first andthe second stages of the treatment plan for formation of physicalappliances.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the adjusting furthercomprises: changing a shape of the plurality of digital bite adjustmentstructures on the corresponding plurality of digital tooth receivingcavities of the digital model of the appliance of the first jaw.
 21. Themethod of claim 19, wherein the adjusting further comprises: changing alocation of the plurality of digital bite adjustment structures on thecorresponding plurality of digital tooth receiving cavities of thedigital model of the appliance of the first jaw.
 22. The method of claim19, wherein the adjusting further comprises: changing an orientation ofthe plurality of digital bite adjustment structures on the correspondingplurality of digital tooth receiving cavities of the digital model ofthe appliance of the first jaw.
 23. The method of claim 19, wherein theadjusting further comprises: changing a size of the plurality of digitalbite adjustment structures on the corresponding plurality of digitaltooth receiving cavities of the digital model of the appliance of thefirst jaw.
 24. The method of claim 19, wherein the correspondingplurality of digital tooth receiving cavities of the digital appliancemodel are digital tooth receiving cavities for anterior teeth.
 25. Themethod of claim 24, further comprising: modeling a force to be appliedto the plurality of bite adjustment structures by a user wearing acorresponding one of the appliances during the first stage of thetreatment plan; and adjusting a shape of the digital model thecorresponding one of the appliances for a first jaw at the first stageof the treatment plan such that the corresponding one of the appliancesdistributes a counterforce corresponding to the force to a number ofposterior teeth of the user's first jaw with the corresponding one ofthe appliances is worn by the user.
 26. The method of claim 19, whereinthe adjusting is made according to changes to the digital model of theappliance for a first jaw between the first stage of the treatment planand the second stage of the treatment plan.
 27. The method of claim 21,wherein the changing the location includes changing a verticalrelationship between stages to correct for a deep bite.
 28. The methodof claim 27, wherein changing the vertical relationship between stagesincludes progressively moving the location towards an incisal edge of arespective tooth receiving cavity.
 29. The method of claim 19, whereinadjusting the bite adjustment structures is to provide a disocclusionbetween the posterior and/or anterior teeth.
 30. The method of claim 21,wherein changing the location is based on changes in intrusion orextrusion of the tooth or a corresponding tooth on an opposing jawand/or movement of the tooth or a corresponding tooth on an opposingjaw.